Gone are the days where you needed to hire a professional photographer to take editorial-ready photos of you, or to take countless shots to get that one perfect picture. The rise of AI means generating photorealistic images is easier than ever.聽
But with this increase in popularity of聽聽comes many questions, with two big ones being 鈥淚s the old way of photography becoming obsolete?鈥 and 鈥淲hat does this mean for the future of photography?鈥
Key takeaways聽
- AI can create high-quality photorealistic images from just a few text prompts or by uploading a few candid images or selfies.聽
- AI can improve photo editing by automatically adjusting lighting, removing imperfections, and enhancing other details.聽
- AI platforms are relatively cost-effective and can save you lots of time and effort compared to hiring a professional photographer.聽
- The future of AI image generation looks bright, with realism, multi-modal generative AI tools, and AI videography steadily improving.聽
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What is AI image generation?聽
AI image generation is when machine learning software and algorithms are used to optimize various parts of the traditional photography process, from ideation and composition to post-processing. In most cases, people utilize AI for two main reasons 鈥 to create AI-generated images or to edit and enhance photographs.
The benefits of using AI for photography
But what if you鈥檙e not a budding photographer and you just want to make selfies or casual photos better? AI still comes with many benefits for the everyday person.聽
Save time and money
Getting professional-level photos taken can require you to research professional photographers, schedule an appointment, get your hair and makeup styled, travel to an in-person studio, sit for long periods in sometimes uncomfortable poses during the photoshoot, and wait for the photographer to process the finished images 鈥 which can take up to a few weeks.
Plus, hiring a professional photographer can be relatively expensive, with prices ranging from about $100 to over $1000. And there鈥檚 no guarantee that you鈥檒l love the end result.聽
This is where AI tools come in. For example, AI headshot generators like聽聽can generate high-quality and realistic headshots for LinkedIn or other professional purposes in, at most, just a few hours, and for a fraction of the price.聽
No need for expensive studios and equipment
Lighting and background is almost as important to the photo as the shot itself. Unfortunately, for photographs taken in real-life, you鈥檒l need to rent or buy specialized equipment like light reflectors, softboxes, diffusers, tripods, and more. These can be hard to track down and expensive to buy.聽
Most AI apps will have in-built airbrushing tools so you don鈥檛 need to figure out the best way to position your lights. And if studio backgrounds are a must, you鈥檒l be able to choose from a range of suitable backdrops.聽
Almost unlimited customization options
Using photography for artistic purposes means pushing the boundaries of what can be possible. In real life this is difficult, with several factors affecting the end result 鈥 including location, background, lighting, subjects, props, and equipment.
AI transforms the impossible into possible, making it a much-needed tool for photographers specializing in abstract or avant-garde photography. But this doesn鈥檛 mean you or I can鈥檛 find some use in unlimited customization. Photoshopping photographs into memes or adjusting how someone鈥檚 face looks can all be possible with the use of AI.聽聽
Easy removal of imperfections
In the past, if there was an imperfection in a photograph, like a messy background or an unexpected photobomb, you likely needed to go for a reshoot or spend hours photoshopping it out to get a natural end-result.聽
Nowadays, AI-powered editing tools can automate the removal of imperfections with just a few clicks, making it easier than ever to create whatever is in your head. But this also challenges how people perceive what鈥檚 real and what鈥檚 fake. The issue of AI-made deep fakes and unethical editing of images remains a prevalent issue in society and an important consideration for the future of AI.聽
Future trends in AI photography聽
The famous quote by Albert Einstein still rings through today, 鈥淚f you want to know the future, look at the past.鈥澛
While AI is set to expand to unfathomable heights over the coming decades, there鈥檚 still a demand for human-led content and photography that looks realistic, appeals to our emotions, and tells a story. In that way, the old way of taking photos hasn鈥檛 become obsolete. Traditional photography is still relevant. There鈥檚 also a need for combining AI with traditional photography to take it to new heights. And even images completely generated by AI now play an important role.聽聽
According to some predictions, there will likely be a rise in multi-modal generative AI, which refers to AI tools that can create image and text at the same time rather than one or the other. This may also bring a new perspective to art and content creation.聽
According to the team at聽, future trends in AI photography could include:
- Less dependence on stock photography, especially for commercial use due to the ease of creating niche photographs with AI tools.聽
- More realistic AI-generated images as the AI software improves.聽
- More nationwide policies around AI image generation, especially when it comes to copyright, content distribution, and safeguarding minors.聽
- Advancements in AI photography leading to AI videography increasing in popularity, like OpenAI鈥檚 Sora.
AI鈥檚 not going anywhere
The continued rise of AI is inevitable. And for may, it鈥檚 now become an invaluable part of the everyday routine, from how people structure their lives to optimizing how they take photographs 鈥 of themselves and the world around them.聽
The question now remains to use it for your photography or not? Ultimately, it鈥檚 a decision that depends on your photography needs and preferences. But with such exciting advancements in AI photography, it would be a shame to let the opportunity go to waste.
